High school students from the Great Lakes region met at Kettering University’s Robotics Community Center on Jan. 28 and 29 to compete in the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation’s 2024 Aerial Drone Competition, Eclipse.

In the Eclipse mission, two drone teams work together as an alliance in 90-second matches. They collaborate to score points by clearing balls from chambers, moving them into goals, removing balls off of pillars and landing their drone. 

During the last 30 seconds of the match, the Eclipse begins. In this phase, teams must complete a complex five-phase flight maneuver called a “Total Eclipse” to earn additional points.

“The Aerial Drone Competition is one of the REC Foundation's fastest-growing programs. The number of teams has doubled since last year," said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Community Center and Robotics Outreach Director at Kettering University. “This program creates a new segment of students who develop programming, problem-solving, and communication skills as they complete autonomous challenges, communicate flight plans and train pilots.”

Although only high school students competed in Eclipse, a volunteer team of Kettering University students, alumni and a faculty member could be found in the arena and venue throughout the weekend. The volunteers completed a range of tasks to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Faculty member Dr. Patrick Atkinson faced a challenge of his own. Between each round of competition, he had 60 seconds to reset the field and ensure all obstacles complied with strict rules.

“I live and breathe all things mechanical engineering as well as Kettering, so it was awesome to actively help in the arena,” he said. “The collaborative energy of the event was infectious—some students even jumped in to help me reset the field a little faster.”

Atkinson ’91 found inspiration in the collaborative spirit of the teams of young drone operators.

“Something amazing is rarely done by a single person; it requires a team of people who set aside their differences and rally around a central focus,” said Atkinson, a 25-year member of the Mechanical Engineering department. “That necessary teamwork was on full display every round of the Eclipse event.”

Susan LaFeldt, an academic advisor and success coach in the Academic Success Center, served as a que helper, ensuring every team was ready before each round.

“These competitions are all about working together,” she said. “The drone teams were comprised of two students from two different schools who had to work together to determine who would be the driver, the spotter/director and which obstacles they would complete in the arena. Communication was key, and many students rose to the occasion.”

Kettering University will host regional aerial drone championships May 17-18 in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center. For more information about Robotics at Kettering University, click here.